Method and apparatus for acousto-optical interactions

Claim 1

Apparatus for interacting substantially coherent, monochromatic light with surface acoustic waves, comprising: a. optical wave guide means for propagating light therein; b. an acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned such that surface acoustic waves propagated therein interact with the light in the optical wave guide means; and c. chirp generator means connected to the acoustic surface wave propagating means for generating and propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium, said surface acoustic waves form periodic variations in the index of refraction of the optical wave guide means and thereby interact with said light.

Claim 9

A method for imaging an object with substantially coherent, monochromatic light focused by surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. propagating substantially coherent, monochromatic light in an optical wave guide; b. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium; c. interacting the light with the chirped surface acoustic waves; d. coupling the light out of the wave guide into a focused beam that scans across the object at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium; e. modulating the focused beam of light with the object; and f. converting the modulated light into electrical output signals that correspond to the modulation imparted to the light by the object, thereby imaging the object.

Claim 10

A method for imaging an object with substantially coherent, monochromatic light focused by surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. propagating substantially coherent, monochromatic light in an optical wave guide; b. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium; c. interacting the light with the chirped surface acoustic waves; d. coupling the light out of the wave guide into a focused beam that scans across the object at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium; e. modulating the focused beam of light with the object; and f. converting the modulated light into electrical output signals that correspond to the modulation imparted to the light by the object, thereby imaging the object.

Claim 12

An apparatus for imaging an object with substantially monochromatic, coherent light focused by surface acoustic waves, comprising: a. optical wave guide means for propagating substantially monochromatic, coherent light therein; b. an acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact with the light propagating in the optical wave guide means; c. chirp generator means for generating and propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium, the light propagating in the optical wave guide means having been incident on the object and modulated by this incidence and thereafter coupled into the optical wave guide through the interaction with the surface acoustic waves in a manner such that the modulated light is scanned at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium; and d. photodetector means for receiving the modulated light refracted from the optical wave guide means and for converting said light into electrical output signals corresponding to the modulation imparted to the light by the object, thereby imaging said object.

Claim 13

An apparatus for imaging an object with substantially monochromatic, coherent light focused by surface acoustic waves, comprising: a. optical wave guide means for propagating substantially monochromatic, coherent light therein; b. an acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact with the light propagating in the optical wave guide means; c. chirp generator means for generating and propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium, the light propagating in the optical wave guide means having been incident on the object and modulated by this incidence and thereafter coupled into the optical wave guide through the interaction with the surface acoustic waves in a manner such that the modulated light is scanned at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium; and d. photodetector means for receiving the modulated light refracted from the optical wave guide means and for converting said light into electrical output signals corresponding to the modulation imparted to the light by the object, thereby imaging said object.

Claim 20

A method for imaging an object with light focused by surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. modulating substantially monochromatic, coherent light incident on the object; b. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium; c. scanning the modulated light by selectively coupling the modulated light into an optical wave guide through interaction with the chirped acoustic waves, said scanning is performed at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagated in the propagating medium; d. propagating the modulated light in the optical wave guide; and e. converting the modulated light into electrical output signals that correspond to the modulation imparted to the light by the object, thereby imaging the object.

Claim 21

A method for imaging an object with light focused by surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. modulating substantially monochromatic, coherent light incident on the object; b. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium; c. scanning the modulated light by selectively coupling the modulated light into an optical wave guide through interaction with the chirped acoustic waves, said scanning is performed at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagated in the propagating medium; d. propagating the modulated light in the optical wave guide; and e. converting the modulated light into electrical output signals that correspond to the modulation imparted to the light by the object, thereby imaging the object.

Claim 23

An apparatus for imaging an object with substantially monochromatic, coherent light focused by surface acoustic waves, comprising: a. first optical wave guide means for propagating light therein; b. means for coupling substantially monochromatic, coherent light incident on the apparatus into the first optical wave guide means so that said light propagates therein; c. a first acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact with the light propagating in the first optical wave guide means; d. second optical wave guide means for propagating light therein; e. a second acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact with the light propagating in the second optical wave guide means; f. chirp generator means for simultaneously generating and propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in the first and second acoustic surface wave propagating media, said surface acoustic waves interact with the light in the first optical wave guide means and thereby couple said light out of the wave guide into a focused beam, the focused beam of light scans across the object at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium and the scanning focused light beam is modulated by the object, the modulated light is thereafter coupled into the second optical wave guide means through the interaction with the surface acoustic waves in a manner such that the modulated light is scanned at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium; and g. photodetector means for receiving the modulated light refracted from the second optical wave guide means and for converting said light into electrical output signals corresponding to the modulation imparted to the light by the object, thereby imaging said object.

Claim 24

An apparatus for imaging an object with substantially monochromatic, coherent light focused by surface acoustic waves, comprising: a. first optical wave guide means for propagating light therein; b. means for coupling substantially monochromatic, coherent light incident on the apparatus into the first optical wave guide means so that said light propagates therein; c. a first acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact with the light propagating in the first optical wave guide means; d. second optical wave guide means for propagating light therein; e. a second acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact with the light propagating in the second optical wave guide means; f. chirp generator means for simultaneously generating and propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in the first and second acoustic surface wave propagating media, said surface acoustic waves interact with the light in the first optical wave guide means and thereby couple said light out of the wave guide into a focused beam, the focused beam of light scans across the object at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium and the scanning focused light beam is modulated by the object, the modulated light is thereafter coupled into the second optical wave guide means through the interaction with the surface acoustic waves in a manner such that the modulated light is scanned at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium; and g. photodetector means for receiving the modulated light refracted from the second optical wave guide means and for converting said light into electrical output signals corresponding to the modulation imparted to the light by the object, thereby imaging said object.

Claim 30

A method for imaging an object with light focused by surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. propagating substantially monochromatic, coherent light in a first optical wave guide; b. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in a first acoustic surface wave propagating medium; c. interacting the light with the chirped surface acoustic waves; d. coupling the light out of the first wave guide into a focused beam that scans across the object at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the first acoustic surface wave propagating medium; e. modulating the focused beam of light with the object; f. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in a second acoustic surface wave propagating medium; g. scanning the modulated light by selectively coupling the modulated light into a second optical wave guide through interaction with the chirped acoustic waves, said scanning is performed at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the second propagating medium; h. synchronizing the propagation of surface acoustic waves in the first and second propagating media; i. propagating the modulated light in the second optical wave guide; and j. converting the modulated light into electrical output signals that correspond to the modulation imparted to the light by the object, thereby imaging the object.

Claim 31

A method for imaging an object with light focused by surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. propagating substantially monochromatic, coherent light in a first optical wave guide; b. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in a first acoustic surface wave propagating medium; c. interacting the light with the chirped surface acoustic waves; d. coupling the light out of the first wave guide into a focused beam that scans across the object at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the first acoustic surface wave propagating medium; e. modulating the focused beam of light with the object; f. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in a second acoustic surface wave propagating medium; g. scanning the modulated light by selectively coupling the modulated light into a second optical wave guide through interaction with the chirped acoustic waves, said scanning is performed at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the second propagating medium; h. synchronizing the propagation of surface acoustic waves in the first and second propagating media; i. propagating the modulated light in the second optical wave guide; and j. converting the modulated light into electrical output signals that correspond to the modulation imparted to the light by the object, thereby imaging the object.

Claim 33

An apparatus for focusing light with surface acoustic waves, comprising: a. optical wave guide means for propagating light therein, said light having a propagation vector βg; b. means for coupling substantially monochromatic, coherent light incident on the apparatus into the wave guide means so that said light propagates therein; c. an acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact with the light propagating in the optical wave guide means; d. chirp generator means for generating and propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium, said surface acoustic waves interact means said light, have a propagation vector K a , and couple said light out of the wave guide means at an angle θ measured with respect to the axis of propagation of the surface acoustic waves and with a propagation vector K s , and wherein the propagation vectors have the following relationship: β g = K.sub.s cos θ - K.sub.a

Claim 34

An apparatus for focusing light with surface acoustic waves, comprising: a. optical wave guide means for propagating light therein, said light having a propagation vector βg; b. means for coupling substantially monochromatic, coherent light incident on the apparatus into the wave guide means so that said light propagates therein; c. an acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact with the light propagating in the optical wave guide means; d. chirp generator means for generating and propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium, said surface acoustic waves interact means said light, have a propagation vector K a , and couple said light out of the wave guide means at an angle θ measured with respect to the axis of propagation of the surface acoustic waves and with a propagation vector K s , and wherein the propagation vectors have the following relationship: β g = K.sub.s cos θ - K.sub.a

Claim 35

A method for focusing light with surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. propagating substantially monochromatic, coherent light in an optical wave guide, said light having a propagating vector β g; b. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium, said waves having a propagation vector K a ; c. interacting the light with the chirped surface acoustic waves; and d. coupling the light out of the wave guide means into a focused beam that scans at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium, said focused beam of light being coupled out of the wave guide means at an angle θ measured with respect to the axis of propagation of the surface acoustic waves and with a propagation vector K s and wherein the propagation vectors have the following relationship: β g = K.sub.s cos θ - K.sub.a

Claim 36

A method for focusing light with surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. propagating substantially monochromatic, coherent light in an optical wave guide, said light having a propagating vector β g; b. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium, said waves having a propagation vector K a ; c. interacting the light with the chirped surface acoustic waves; and d. coupling the light out of the wave guide means into a focused beam that scans at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium, said focused beam of light being coupled out of the wave guide means at an angle θ measured with respect to the axis of propagation of the surface acoustic waves and with a propagation vector K s and wherein the propagation vectors have the following relationship: β g = K.sub.s cos θ - K.sub.a

Claim 37

An apparatus for multiplexing substantially monochromatic coherent light by interacting the light with surface acoustic waves, comprising: a. optical wave guide means for propagating light therein: b. means for coupling the substantially monochromatic, coherent light being multiplexed by the apparatus into the wave guide means so that said light propagates therein; c. an acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact with the light propagating in the optical wave guide means; d. chirp generator means for generating and propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium so that said surface acoustic waves interact with said light and thereby couple said light out of the wave guide into focused beams; and e. at least two, spaced apart, photodetector means for receiving the focused beams of light coupled out of the wave guide and for converting said light beams into corresponding electrical output signals, the focused beams of light scan across each photodetector in turn at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium so that the light incident on the coupling means is multiplexed into a plurality of electrical output signals, one output signal corresponding to each photodetector means.

Claim 38

An apparatus for multiplexing substantially monochromatic coherent light by interacting the light with surface acoustic waves, comprising: a. optical wave guide means for propagating light therein: b. means for coupling the substantially monochromatic, coherent light being multiplexed by the apparatus into the wave guide means so that said light propagates therein; c. an acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact with the light propagating in the optical wave guide means; d. chirp generator means for generating and propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium so that said surface acoustic waves interact with said light and thereby couple said light out of the wave guide into focused beams; and e. at least two, spaced apart, photodetector means for receiving the focused beams of light coupled out of the wave guide and for converting said light beams into corresponding electrical output signals, the focused beams of light scan across each photodetector in turn at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium so that the light incident on the coupling means is multiplexed into a plurality of electrical output signals, one output signal corresponding to each photodetector means.

Claim 41

A method of multiplexing light by interacting the light with surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. coupling the substantially monochromatic, coherent light being multiplexed into an optical wave guide; b. propagating the light in the wave guide; c. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium; d. coupling the light out of the wave guide into focused beams by interacting the light with the chirped surface acoustic waves; and e. scanning the focused beams of light across at least two, spaced apart, photodetectors that convert the light beams into corresponding electrical output signals, the focused beams of light scan across each photodetector in turn at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium so that the light is multiplexed into a plurality of electrical output signals, one output signal corresponding to each photodetector means.

Claim 42

A method of multiplexing light by interacting the light with surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. coupling the substantially monochromatic, coherent light being multiplexed into an optical wave guide; b. propagating the light in the wave guide; c. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium; d. coupling the light out of the wave guide into focused beams by interacting the light with the chirped surface acoustic waves; and e. scanning the focused beams of light across at least two, spaced apart, photodetectors that convert the light beams into corresponding electrical output signals, the focused beams of light scan across each photodetector in turn at substantially the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium so that the light is multiplexed into a plurality of electrical output signals, one output signal corresponding to each photodetector means.

Claim 44

An apparatus for multiplexing substantially monochromatic coherent light by interacting the light with surface acoustic waves, comprising; a. optical wave guide means for propagating light therein; b. an acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact the said light propagating in the optical wave guide means; c. chirp generator means for generating and propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium; d. at least two, spaced apart, light generating means for transmitting two independent beams of light that are each incident on the optical wave guide means, said two independent beams being sequentially scanned and coupled into the wave guide through the interaction with the surface acoustic waves in a manner such that each beam is scanned at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium; and e. photodetector means for receiving the modulated light refracted from the optical wave guide means and for converting said light into electrical output signals so that the two beams of light from the light generating means are multiplexed into electrical output signals.

Claim 45

An apparatus for multiplexing substantially monochromatic coherent light by interacting the light with surface acoustic waves, comprising; a. optical wave guide means for propagating light therein; b. an acoustic surface wave propagating medium positioned so that surface acoustic waves associated therewith interact the said light propagating in the optical wave guide means; c. chirp generator means for generating and propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in the acoustic surface wave propagating medium; d. at least two, spaced apart, light generating means for transmitting two independent beams of light that are each incident on the optical wave guide means, said two independent beams being sequentially scanned and coupled into the wave guide through the interaction with the surface acoustic waves in a manner such that each beam is scanned at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium; and e. photodetector means for receiving the modulated light refracted from the optical wave guide means and for converting said light into electrical output signals so that the two beams of light from the light generating means are multiplexed into electrical output signals.

Claim 47

A method of multiplexing light by interacting the light with surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. propagating at least two, independent beams of light that are each incident on an optical wave guide; b. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium; c. coupling sequentially the two independent beams of light into the wave guide through interaction with the surface acoustic waves in a manner such that each beam of light is scanned at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium; d. propagating the coupled light in the optical wave guide; and e. refracting the light into a photodetector means so that the light is converted into electrical output signals and so that the two beams of light from the light generating means are multiplexed into electrical output signals.

Claim 48

A method of multiplexing light by interacting the light with surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. propagating at least two, independent beams of light that are each incident on an optical wave guide; b. propagating chirped surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium; c. coupling sequentially the two independent beams of light into the wave guide through interaction with the surface acoustic waves in a manner such that each beam of light is scanned at the same speed as the surface acoustic waves propagate in the propagating medium; d. propagating the coupled light in the optical wave guide; and e. refracting the light into a photodetector means so that the light is converted into electrical output signals and so that the two beams of light from the light generating means are multiplexed into electrical output signals.

Claim 52

A method for determining one of either the frequency of incident light at a known angle of incidence or the angle of incidence of light at a known frequency by interacting the light with surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. propagating surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium, said acoustic waves having a variable and determinable frequency; b. directing the incident light on to an optical wave guide means; c. interacting the surface acoustic waves with the incident light so that the light is selectively coupled into the wave guide means at a determinable acoustic wave frequency; and d. determining the frequency of the surface acoustic wave at which the incident light is coupled into the wave guide means such that one of either the frequency of the incident light or the angle of incidence is determinable from the following equations: β g = k.sub.s cos 0 + k.sub.a ##EQU16## where f.sub.a = the frequency of the acoustic wave at coupling v a = the velocity of the acoustic wave in the lithium niobate ##EQU17## where n 1 = the index of refraction of wave guide n 2 = the index of refraction of the substrate n 3 = the index of refraction of air ##EQU18## t = the thickness of the wave guide N = an integral number corresponding to the possible guide modes that can propagate in the wave guide.

Claim 53

A method for determining one of either the frequency of incident light at a known angle of incidence or the angle of incidence of light at a known frequency by interacting the light with surface acoustic waves, comprising the steps of: a. propagating surface acoustic waves in an acoustic surface wave propagating medium, said acoustic waves having a variable and determinable frequency; b. directing the incident light on to an optical wave guide means; c. interacting the surface acoustic waves with the incident light so that the light is selectively coupled into the wave guide means at a determinable acoustic wave frequency; and d. determining the frequency of the surface acoustic wave at which the incident light is coupled into the wave guide means such that one of either the frequency of the incident light or the angle of incidence is determinable from the following equations: β g = k.sub.s cos 0 + k.sub.a ##EQU16## where f.sub.a = the frequency of the acoustic wave at coupling v a = the velocity of the acoustic wave in the lithium niobate ##EQU17## where n 1 = the index of refraction of wave guide n 2 = the index of refraction of the substrate n 3 = the index of refraction of air ##EQU18## t = the thickness of the wave guide N = an integral number corresponding to the possible guide modes that can propagate in the wave guide.